'Priestly vocation' to be focus of Vatican retreat

Vatican City, Feb 18, 2010 / 02:56 pm (CNA).- On Sunday, February 21, the annual spiritual exercises for Pope Benedict and Roman Curia will begin at the Vatican's Redemptoris Mater chapel. The retreat's meditations will be given by Salesian Father Enrico dal Covolo on the theme, “Lessons from God and The Church on the Priestly Vocation.”

A total of 17 meditations will be given over the week-long retreat, which will end on Saturday, February 27.

Each day will have its own particular emphasis: Monday will be a day of prayer for priestly vocations, Tuesday a day of prayer for missionaries, and Wednesday, a day of penance. Thursday will focus on Christ, Friday on Mary, and Saturday on the call of the first “deacons.”

The Holy Father's private and general audiences will not be held during the week of spiritual exercises.